EPS (expanded poly-styrene) containing flame reatrdants has since 2007 in Norway not been produced for road applications. However old EPS blocks may contain brominated flame retardants BRFs. The article present risk assessments, guideline values and results from chemical analysis of EPS blocks and soil samples (2006) sampled near the EPS blocks.

With respect to the BRFs in EPS and soil samples taken from bridge sites it must be concluded, that:
• The content of HBCDD in the EPS blocks was high and at a level comparable to the expected content based on production information.
• The content of HBCDD in soil below the EPS blocks was below the limit of detection (0,2 mg/kg DM), which also is the level of the guidance value from 2006 and more than 10 times less than EU PNEC value form 2008.
• The risk of exposure for humans and the environment to HBCDD from the EPS blocks is low. At the end of life EPS is handled as a hazardous waste according to national regulations.
• PBDEs have not been detected in the EPS-blocks, only in the upper soil samples.
• The content of penta-BDE in soil samples was below 0.1 mg/kg DM, which is more than 3 times lower than the guidance value. This concentration level is less than predicted environmental regional agricultural soil concentration. Specific sources are not located.